Iowa Attorney General's Office says officers were 'legally justified' in shooting, killing Missouri man
WARNING: VIDEO AND AUDIO SHOWN DURING PRESS CONFERENCE MAY BE GRAPHIC, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISEDThe Iowa Attorney General's Office said officers were legally justified when they shot and killed a Missouri man who fired at law enforcement after a pursuit on Interstate 29 last month.The incident occurred Aug. 27, when Iowa state trooper Zach Jensen attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 48-year-old Michael Broyles on I-29, the attorney general's office said. Broyles did not immediately pull over, but took the next exit three miles down the road.During the stop, Broyles got out of his car and pointed a double-barreled shotgun at Jensen, officials said. Jensen drew his firearm and ducked to the back of his vehicle for cover and ordered Broyles to put the weapon down multiple times.READ MORE: Officials identify Missouri man who was shot and killed after firing at officers after pursuit on I-29Broyles then got back into his car and fled on I-29 toward Council Bluffs, according to authorities. The Iowa State Patrol, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office and the Council Bluffs Police Department responded to assist.The Iowa Attorney General's Office said Broyles took the 16th Street exit and stopped under the I-29 overpass. He got out of his vehicle while carrying the shotgun and took cover behind a concrete support pillar.Broyles ignored multiple commands to drop the gun and come out peacefully, officials said. Pepper ball guns were used twice, but were not successful.Officers saw him point the shotgun in their direction and fired at Broyles, who returned fire, the Iowa Attorney General's Office said.Officials said law enforcement continued to shoot at Broyles until he dropped to the ground and was no longer visible. Officers used shields and an Iowa State Patrol K-9 unit to approach Broyles and confirm that he was non-responsive. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.The Iowa Attorney General's Office said investigators found four live shotgun shells near where Broyles was hiding. The shotgun, one live shotgun shell and one spent shell casing were found near his body.Officials said he was not carrying identification, bank or credit cards, and no cellphone. He was identified using fingerprints. He had previous negative interactions with law enforcement in Alaska, including an armed stand-off in 2012.Investigators said Broyles had told family members that he would never go back to jail and would force law enforcement to kill him before that would happen.Wednesday's press conference will include Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber, as well as Iowa DCI Special Agent in Charge Darrell Simmons, Council Bluffs Police Chief Matt Davis, Pottawattamie County Sheriff Andy Brown and Iowa State Patrol Lt. Kevin Johnson.Officials said they will share photos and video of the incident. You can watch the press conference live in the video player at the top of the article at 10 a.m.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
